Brother Ali Drops ‘Pen To Paper’ Ahead Of Album Announcement

It has been nearly five years since Rhymesayers’ Brother Ali released an album, and nearly four without any new music at all. That all changed today, with a brand new single and an accompanying video, Pen to Paper. Rumour has it that the rapper – who is currently in Australia on tour with Atmosphere – is about to announce his long-awaited new album.

Pen To Paper details what rhyming and hip-hop means to the rapper. He describes how writing rhymes is an escape: “The entire landscape of that blank page was mine/ Create a space to climb inside, escape the crazy times. He continues over the sharp piano and layered horns chronicling his life, including meeting his mentor KRS-One, discovering Malcolm X’s teachings, watching his fanbase grow, and being profiled by the US government while losing his sponsors (perhaps because of Uncle Sam Goddamn). As the video and his rhymes progress, the camera slowly zooms down a dark corridor until it get up close to Ali’s face where the message reads “Announcement Tomorrow.”

There aren’t too many more details, but label representatives confirmed “new Brother Ali album on the way.”

The news couldn’t have been better timed Brother Ali is currently on tour in Australia with label mates and Rhymesayers founders Atmosphere. Australian’s might be luck enough to be the first hear some more new Brother Ali. Touring details below.